LHM Daily Devotion - "Before the Jewish Court"

While Peter is outside denying Jesus, the men holding Jesus in custody...

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Before the Jewish Court"

April 7, 2017

When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. ...( Luke 22:66a, ESV).

Read Luke 22:63-71

While Peter is outside denying Jesus, the men holding Jesus in custody are mocking and beating Him. They blindfold Him, slap His face, and demand Him to tell them who had struck Him. Through all the abuse Jesus remains silent.

When day comes they lead Him before the Jewish high court. Then they challenge Him: "If You are the Christ, tell us."

Jesus knows they aren't interested in the truth; they only want a charge to level against Him. Pointing out their stubborn indifference He says, "If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask you, you will not answer." Then He answers their question with power and majesty, "From now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God."

Indeed, He is the Messiah, but He is not the earthly king they expect. He is the exalted Messiah of the Scriptures-the Son of God and Son of Man, who rules in power and glory from the Father's right hand in heaven. He is the God who will be their Judge on the Last Day.

To be clear, the court demands, "Are You the Son of God?"

Jesus answers, "You say that I am." His answer sounds evasive in our English, but not in Luke's Greek. Jesus affirms the words they have just spoken are true: He is the Son of God.

The Jewish high court condemns Jesus for claiming to be God's Son. But time is running short. Soon the city will be awake, and the dreaded crowds will return. They need Jesus on the cross before that happens. So they rush Him off to the Roman governor.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, despite their doubts and hostility, You fearlessly revealed the truth to the Jewish leaders. Give me faith to believe You are God's Son, ruling at His right hand. Amen

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Devociones de Cuaresma - Resistencia, carácter, esperanza

Devociones de Cuaresma  2017

Resistencia, carácter, esperanza

07 de Abril de 2017

Nos regocijamos en los sufrimientos, porque sabemos que los sufrimientos producen resistencia, la resistencia produce un carácter aprobado, y el carácter aprobado produce esperanza. Y esta esperanza no nos defrauda, porque Dios ha derramado su amor en nuestro corazón por el Espíritu Santo que nos ha dado. Romanos 5:3-5, RVC (5:1-5)

Tengo entendido que la riqueza es terreno fértil para las tentaciones, que el éxito puede llevar al orgullo y la arrogancia, y que la salud del cuerpo puede llevar al descuido del uso de la energía física. La riqueza, el éxito y la salud son regalos de Dios que pueden ser bien o mal usados. San Pablo nos habla de lo opuesto al éxito, la riqueza, y la salud. Pablo resume en la palabra "sufrimiento" el dolor, el luto, la burla, el desprecio, la soledad, como aspectos en nuestra vida de fe que reafirman nuestro carácter cristiano. Más aún, él se regocijaba en los sufrimientos porque estaba convencido que traían un sinnúmero de bendiciones temporales y eternas.

Pero no siempre hemos entendido esto así. El cristiano principiante piensa a veces que Dios le solucionará todas las cosas en la vida, pero Jesús, Pablo, y toda la Biblia dicen lo contrario. No estamos exentos del sufrimiento, como bien sabemos por experiencia. El paso adelante que Pablo nos indica es que aprendamos a encontrar gozo en el Señor en medio de los sufrimientos, así como Jesús pudo regocijarse en sus injustos sufrimientos sabiendo que su Padre lo resucitaría en forma gloriosa y la daría la victoria sobre todos los males, incluso la muerte.

La esperanza que Jesús nos da nos permite resistir el dolor, crecer en el carácter benigno y paciente, y esperar con gozo el cielo prometido.

Gracias, Padre, por estar a nuestro lado en los sufrimientos de esta vida. Ayúdanos a aferrarnos más y más a tu gracia, para que encontremos gozo y paz en medio del dolor. Amén

© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. ¡Utilice estas devociones en sus boletines! Usado con permiso. Todos los derechos reservados por la Int'l LLL.

Our Daily Bread - Godliman Street

Read: 1 Samuel 9:1–10 | Bible in a Year: 1 Samuel 7–9; Luke 9:18–36

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“Look, in this town there is a man of God.” 1 Samuel 9:6

My wife, Carolyn, and I were walking in London and came across a road named Godliman Street. We were told that a man once lived there whose life was so saintly that his street became known as “that godly man’s street.” This reminded me of an Old Testament story.

Saul’s father sent his son and a servant to look for some donkeys that had wandered away. The young men searched for many days but couldn’t find the animals.

Saul was ready to give up and go home, but his servant pointed toward Ramah, the prophet Samuel’s village, and replied, “Look, in this town there is a man of God; he is highly respected, and everything he says comes true. Let’s go there now. Perhaps he will tell us what way to take” (1 Sam. 9:6).

Throughout his years and into old age, Samuel had sought friendship and fellowship with God, and his words were weighty with truth. People knew him to be a prophet of the Lord. So Saul and his servant “set out for the town where the man of God was” (v. 10).

Oh, that our lives would so reflect Jesus that we would leave a mark on our neighborhoods, and that the memory of our godliness would linger on!

I'm not sure, Lord, how my neighbors would describe me. But I want to be close to You and to be a light in my corner of the world.

Read God at the Center by going to discoveryseries.org/hp152.

The most powerful testimony is a godly life.

By David Roper

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Đường Người Tin Kính

Đọc: 1 Sa-mu-ên 9:1-10 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: 1 Sa-mu-ên 7-9; Lu-ca 9:18-36

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“Kìa! Trong thành nầy có một người của Đức Chúa Trời.” 1 Sa-mu-ên 9:6

Vợ chồng tôi đang đi dạo trên đường phố Luân Đôn thì đi ngang qua một con đường tên là Đường Người Tin Kính. Chúng tôi được nghe kể rằng có một người từng sống ở đó rất thánh thiện đến mức con đường nơi ông ở được mọi người biết đến với cái tên “đường của ông thánh thiện.” Điều này nhắc tôi nhớ đến một câu chuyện trong Cựu Ước.

Cha của Sau-lơ bảo ông và một người đầy tớ đi tìm mấy con lừa lạc bầy. Hai người trẻ tuổi ấy tìm kiếm suốt nhiều ngày nhưng không thấy.

Sau-lơ quyết định bỏ cuộc về nhà, nhưng người đầy tớ của ông chỉ về hướng Ra-ma, ngôi làng của tiên tri Sa-mu-ên và trả lời: “Kìa! Trong thành nầy có một người của Đức Chúa Trời, là người rất được tôn trọng; tất cả những gì ông nói đều chắc chắn xảy ra. Vậy, chúng ta hãy đi đến đó, có lẽ ông ấy sẽ chỉ cho chúng ta con đường phải đi” (1 Sa-mu-ên 9:6).

Trong suốt những năm tháng đời mình và khi về già, Sa-mu-ên luôn nuôi dưỡng tình bạn và mối tương giao với Đức Chúa Trời, lời nói của ông có sức ảnh hưởng vì ông luôn nói lẽ thật. Người ta biết ông là tiên tri của Chúa. Vì thế, Sau-lơ và đầy tớ đã “đi đến thành có người của Đức Chúa Trời đang ở” (c.10).

Ồ, ước gì cuộc đời chúng ta cũng phản chiếu Chúa Jêsus, để lại tiếng tốt nơi mình sinh sống, và ước gì mọi người cứ nhớ mãi về đời sống tin kính của chúng ta!

Chúa ơi, con không biết những người lân cận sẽ nói về con ra sao. Nhưng con muốn được gần Ngài và là ánh sáng cho thế gian ở mọi nơi con sống.

Lời chứng mạnh mẽ nhất chính là một cuộc đời tin kính.

bởi David Roper

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Calle Godliman

Leer: 1 Samuel 9:1-10 | La Biblia en un año: 1 Samuel 7–9; Lucas 9:18-36

… He aquí ahora hay en esta ciudad un varón de Dios… (v. 6).

Mi esposa y yo estábamos caminando por Londres, cuando llegamos a una calle llamada Godliman [Hombrepiadoso]. Nos dijeron que, una vez, allí vivió un hombre cuya vida era tan santa que su calle llegó a conocerse como «la calle de ese hombre piadoso». Esto me recordó una historia del Antiguo Testamento.

El padre de Saúl lo envió a él y a un criado a buscar unas asnas perdidas. Los jóvenes buscaron durante días, pero no pudieron encontrarlas.

Saúl estaba listo para rendirse y volver a su casa, pero su criado señaló hacia Ramá, el pueblo del profeta Samuel, y dijo: «He aquí ahora hay en esta ciudad un varón de Dios, que es hombre insigne; todo lo que él dice acontece sin falta. Vamos, pues, allá; quizá nos dará algún indicio acerca del objeto por el cual emprendimos nuestro camino» (1 Samuel 9:6).

Toda su vida, Samuel había buscado la amistad y la comunión con Dios, y sus palabras tenían el peso de la verdad. Lo conocían como un profeta del Señor. Entonces, Saúl y su siervo «fueron a la ciudad donde estaba el varón de Dios» (v. 10).

¡Que nuestras vidas puedan reflejar a Jesús de tal manera que dejemos huella en nuestros vecindarios, y que el recuerdo de nuestra piedad permanezca!

Señor, no sé cómo me describirían mis vecinos. Pero quiero estar cerca de ti y ser luz en mi rincón del mundo.

El testimonio más poderoso es una vida piadosa.

Por david h. roper

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Godliman-Straße

Lesen: 1.Samuel 9,1-10 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 1.Samuel 7–9; Lukas 9,18-36

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Siehe, es ist ein berühmter Mann Gottes in dieser Stadt. 1.Samuel 9,6

Ich war mit meiner Frau in London unterwegs, als wir auf eine Straße stießen, die „Godliman Street“ hieß. Man erzählte uns, dass hier einmal ein Mann gelebt hat, der so fromm war, dass man die Straße die „Straße des frommen (godly) Mannes“ nannte. Mir fiel dazu eine Geschichte aus dem Alten Testament ein.

Sauls Vater schickte seinen Sohn und einen Knecht los, um ein paar Eselinnen zu suchen, die sich verirrt hatten. Die jungen Leute suchten mehrere Tage, konnten die Tiere aber nirgends finden.

Saul wollte schon aufgeben und umkehren, aber sein Knecht zeigte nach Rama, den Ort, an dem der Prophet Samuel wohnte, und sagte: „Siehe, es ist ein berühmter Mann Gottes in dieser Stadt; alles, was er sagt, trifft ein. Nun lass uns dahin gehen; vielleicht sagt er uns unsern Weg, den wir gehen sollen“ (1.Sam. 9,6).

Sein ganzes Leben bis ins hohe Alter hatte Samuel die Gemeinschaft mit Gott gesucht. Seine Worte hatten Gewicht. Die Leute wussten, dass er ein Prophet des Herrn war. Also machten sich Saul und sein Knecht auf den Weg „nach der Stadt, wo der Mann Gottes war“ (V.10).

Wie schön wäre es, wenn auch unser Leben so viel von Jesus widerspiegeln würde, dass unsere Nachbarn es merken und die Erinnerung an unseren Glauben wachbleiben würde!

Herr, ich bin mir nicht sicher, was meine Nachbarn über mich sagen würden. Aber ich möchte in deiner Nähe bleiben und an meinem Platz in der Welt ein Licht sein.

Das wirkungsvollste Zeugnis ist ein gottgefälliges Leben.

Von David Roper

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - La rue Godliman

Lisez : 1 Samuel 9.1‑10 | La Bible en un an : 1 SAMUEL 7 – 9 et LUC 9.18‑36

Voici, il y a dans cette ville un homme de Dieu. V.6

Ma femme, Carolyn, et moi marchions dans Londres quand nous sommes tombés sur une rue portant le nom de Godliman (Homme pieux). On nous a dit qu’un homme y avait vécu une vie d’une telle sainteté que l’on avait fini par la connaître comme « la rue de l’homme pieux ». Or, cela m’a rappelé une histoire de l’Ancien Testament.

Le père de Saül avait envoyé son fils et un serviteur retrouver des ânes qui s’étaient égarés, mais ces jeunes hommes les avaient cherchés en vain pendant plusieurs jours.

Saül avait été sur le point d’abandonner les recherches pour rentrer chez lui quand son serviteur lui avait désigné du doigt Rama, le village natal du prophète Samuel, en lui déclarant : « Voici, il y a dans cette ville un homme de Dieu, et c’est un homme considéré ; tout ce qu’il dit ne manque pas d’arriver. Allons‑y donc ; peut‑être nous fera‑t‑il connaître le chemin que nous devons prendre » (1 S 9.6).

Tout au long de sa vie jusque dans la vieillesse, Samuel avait recherché l’amitié et la communion avec Dieu, et ses paroles étaient tout à fait véridiques. Les gens reconnaissaient en lui un prophète du Seigneur. Si bien que Saül et ses serviteurs « [s’étaient rendus] à la ville où était l’homme de Dieu » (V. 10).

Puisse notre vie refléter Jésus au point d’influencer notre quartier et que le souvenir de notre piété dure longtemps !

Il n’y a pas de témoignage plus puissant que celui d’une vie de piété.

par David Roper

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Вулиця Благочестивого

Читати: 1 Самуїлова 9:1-10 | Біблія за рік: 1 Самуїлова 7−9 ; Луки 9:18-36

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Ось у цьому місті є чоловік Божий. — 1 Самуїлова 9:6

Ми з дружиною Кароліною прогулювались Лондоном і натикнулись на вулицю, що мала назву “Вулиця Благочестивого”. Нам розповіли, що колись там жив чоловік, життя якого було настільки святим, що вулицю, на якій він жив, почали називати “Вулиця Благочестивого”. Це нагадало мені одну старозавітну історію.

Батько відправив свого сина Саула та його слугу шукати ослів, що десь заблукали. Чимало днів обидва парубки витратили на пошуки, але не змогли знайти заблукалих тварин.

Саул був ладен здатися й припинити пошуки, але слуга, вказавши пальцем на Раму – місто, де жив пророк Самуїл, – сказав: “Ось у цьому місті є чоловік Божий, а той чоловік шанований. Усе, що він говорить, конче справджується. Тепер сходімо туди, може він покаже нам нашу дорогу, що нею ми пішли б” (1 Сам. 9:6).

Все своє життя аж до сивини Самуїл шукав дружби і близьких відносин з Богом. Тому його слова мали велику вагу і завжди були правдиві. Люди знали його як пророка Господня. Отже, Саул та його слуга пішли до того міста, де був чоловік Божий (1 Сам. 9:10).

Наше життя теж має так відображати Ісуса, щоб ми могли залишити після себе слід у тому місці, де живемо. Важливо, щоб після нас залишилась добра пам’ять про наше благочестиве життя!

Я не знаю, Господи, як мене сприймають мої сусіди, але хотів би бути ближчим до Тебе, щоб бути світлом у тому куточку, де живу.

Щоб дізнатись більше, читайте брошуру «В центрі Бог».

Найбільш ефективне свідоцтво – благочестиве життя.

Автор Давид Роупер

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Улица Благочестивого

Читать сейчас: 1 Царств 9:1-10 | Библия за год: 1 Царств 7-9; Луки 9:18-36

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Вот в этом городе есть человек Божий. — 1 Царств 9:6

Мы с моей женой Кэролин гуляли по Лондону и набрели на улицу, которая называлась улица Благочестивого. Нам рассказали, что когда-то давно здесь жил человек, чья жизнь был настолько святой, что эта улица стала известна как улица Благочестивого. Это напомнило мне ветхозаветное повествование о Самуиле.

Отец Саула послал сына в сопровождении слуги поискать заблудившихся ослиц. Молодые люди несколько дней искали животных, но так и не нашли.

Саул уже собирался отправиться домой, как слуга указал на Раму, деревню пророка Самуила, и сказал: «Вот в этом городе есть человек Божий, человек уважаемый; все, что он ни скажет, сбывается; сходим теперь туда; может быть, он укажет нам путь наш, по которому нам идти» (1 Цар. 9:6).

С юных лет и до седины Самуил искал общения с Богом, и его слова были полны истины. Люди знали, что он – пророк Господа. Поэтому Саул и слуга «пошли в город, где человек Божий» (1 Цар. 9:10).

О, если бы и наши жизни так отражали характер Христа, чтобы оставить подобный добрый след среди знающих нас и чтобы память о нашем благочестии сохранилась надолго!

Я не знаю, Боже, как мои соседи охарактеризуют меня. Но я хочу быть ближе к Тебе и быть светом там, где нахожусь.

Чтобы узнать больше, прочитайте брошюру

«Бог в центре». 

Лучшее свидетельство – богоугодная жизнь.

автор: Дэвид Роупер

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for THURSDAY, April 6, 2017

The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Jeremiah 26:1-16

At the beginning of the reign of King Jehoiakim son of Josiah of Judah, this word came from the LORD: Thus says the LORD: Stand in the court of the LORD's house, and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship in the house of the LORD; speak to them all the words that I command you; do not hold back a word. It may be that they will listen, all of them, and will turn from their evil way, that I may change my mind about the disaster that I intend to bring on them because of their evil doings. You shall say to them: Thus says the LORD: If you will not listen to me, to walk in my law that I have set before you, and to heed the words of my servants the prophets whom I send to you urgently-- though you have not heeded-- then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city a curse for all the nations of the earth. The priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD. And when Jeremiah had finished speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak to all the people, then the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold of him, saying, "You shall die! Why have you prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, 'This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without inhabitant'?" And all the people gathered around Jeremiah in the house of the LORD. When the officials of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king's house to the house of the LORD and took their seat in the entry of the New Gate of the house of the LORD. Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and to all the people, "This man deserves the sentence of death because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears." Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and all the people, saying, "It is the LORD who sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the words you have heard. Now therefore amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God, and the LORD will change his mind about the disaster that he has pronounced against you. But as for me, here I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you. Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will be bringing innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and its inhabitants, for in truth the LORD sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears." Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, "This man does not deserve the sentence of death, for he has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God."

The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from Romans 11:1-12

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? "Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars; I alone am left, and they are seeking my life." But what is the divine reply to him? "I have kept for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal." So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace. What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, as it is written, "God gave them a sluggish spirit, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day." And David says, "Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and keep their backs forever bent." So I ask, have they stumbled so as to fall? By no means! But through their stumbling salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their stumbling means riches for the world, and if their defeat means riches for Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!

The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in John 10:19-42

Again the Jews were divided because of these words. Many of them were saying, "He has a demon and is out of his mind. Why listen to him?" Others were saying, "These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?" At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one." The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus replied, "I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?" The Jews answered, "It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God." Jesus answered, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, you are gods'? If those to whom the word of God came were called 'gods'-- and the scripture cannot be annulled-- can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, 'I am God's Son'? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands. He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. Many came to him, and they were saying, "John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true." And many believed in him there.

Morning Psalms

Psalm 131 Domine, non est
1   O LORD, I am not proud; I have no haughty looks.
2   I do not occupy myself with great matters, or with things that are too hard for me.
3   But I still my soul and make it quiet, like a child upon its mother's breast; my soul is quieted within me.
4   O Israel, wait upon the LORD, from this time forth for evermore.

Psalm 132 Memento, Domine
1   LORD, remember David, and all the hardships he endured;
2   How he swore an oath to the LORD and vowed a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:
3   I will not come under the roof of my house, nor climb up into my bed;
4   I will not allow my eyes to sleep, nor let my eyelids slumber;
5   Until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob."
6   The ark! We heard it was in Ephratah; we found it in the fields of Jearim.
7   Let us go to God's dwelling place; let us fall upon our knees before his footstool."
8   Arise, O LORD, into your resting-place, you and the ark of your strength.
9   Let your priests be clothed with righteousness; let your faithful people sing with joy.
10   For your servant David's sake, do not turn away the face of your Anointed.
11   The LORD has sworn an oath to David; in truth, he will not break it:
12   A son, the fruit of your body will I set upon your throne.
13   If your children keep my covenant and my testimonies that I shall teach them, their children will sit upon your throne for evermore."
14   For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired her for his habitation:
15   This shall be my resting-place for ever; here will I dwell, for I delight in her.
16   I will surely bless her provisions, and satisfy her poor with bread.
17   I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her faithful people will rejoice and sing.
18   There will I make the horn of David flourish; I have prepared a lamp for my Anointed.
19   As for his enemies, I will clothe them with shame; but as for him, his crown will shine."

Psalm 133 Ecce, quam bonum!
1   Oh, how good and pleasant it is, when brethren live together in unity!
2   It is like fine oil upon the head that runs down upon the beard,
3   Upon the beard of Aaron, and runs down upon the collar of his robe.
4   It is like the dew of Hermon that falls upon the hills of Zion.
5   For there the LORD has ordained the blessing: life for evermore.

Evening Psalms

Psalm 140 Eripe me, Domine
1   Deliver me, O LORD, from evildoers; protect me from the violent,
2   Who devise evil in their hearts and stir up strife all day long.
3   They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adder's poison is under their lips.
4   Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent, who are determined to trip me up.
5   The proud have hidden a snare for me and stretched out a net of cords; they have set traps for me along the path.
6   I have said to the LORD, "You are my God; listen, O LORD, to my supplication.
7   O Lord GOD, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.
8   Do not grant the desires of the wicked, O LORD, nor let their evil plans prosper.
9   Let not those who surround me lift up their heads; let the evil of their lips overwhelm them.
10   Let hot burning coals fall upon them; let them be cast into the mire, never to rise up again."
11   A slanderer shall not be established on the earth, and evil shall hunt down the lawless.
12   I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the poor and render justice to the needy.
13   Surely, the righteous will give thanks to your Name, and the upright shall continue in your sight.

Psalm 142 Voce mea ad Dominum
1   I cry to the LORD with my voice; to the LORD I make loud supplication.
2   I pour out my complaint before him and tell him all my trouble.
3   When my spirit languishes within me, you know my path; in the way wherein I walk they have hidden a trap for me.
4   I look to my right hand and find no one who knows me; I have no place to flee to, and no one cares for me.
5   I cry out to you, O LORD; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living."
6   Listen to my cry for help, for I have been brought very low; save me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.
7   Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your Name; when you have dealt bountifully with me, the righteous will gather around me.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The New Revised Standard Version Bible may be quoted and/or reprinted up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without express written permission of the publisher, provided the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible or account for fifty percent (50%) of the total work in which they are quoted.

Verse of the Day - April 6, 2017

1 John 3:16 (NIV) This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

Read all of 1 John 3

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Morning Devotions with Cap'n Kenny - "Wholehearted Devotion"

Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene. . . .

—Mark 16:9 (NKJV)

Of all the people Jesus could have appeared to first after His Resurrection, He appeared to Mary Magdalene. It is interesting to think about, because among the Jews of the day, the testimony of a woman was not held in high regard. In fact, some of the rabbis falsely taught that it was better for the words of the Law to be burned than to be delivered by a woman. Yet Jesus chose a woman to be the first herald of His Resurrection.

It is also worth noting that women were the last at the cross and the first at the tomb. Mary had courage that many of the men did not have when Jesus was crucified. She stood by Him through it all. In fact, the Bible tells us that after He was crucified, Mary “observed where He was laid” (Mark 15:47). She watched as they took His crucified body from the cross and wrapped it and placed it in a tomb that belonged to Joseph of Arimathea. And Mary, along with the other women, was at the tomb very early on Sunday morning to demonstrate her love for Jesus by anointing His body with spices (see Mark 16:1–2).

And her love was rewarded. God said, “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). God rewards the person who is diligent. And for those who will take time in their day to seek the Lord, for those who will take time to read His Word, for those who will take time to wait upon Him, He will reveal His truths to them.

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny

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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV® Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Devotion by Greg Laurie © 2017 Harvest Christian Fellowship; all rights reserved.

Un Dia a la Vez - La belleza es pasajera

Engañoso es el encanto y pasajera la belleza.
Proverbios 31:30, NVI

En estos tiempos que estamos viviendo, la gente dice de la belleza: «No hay mujeres feas… sino hombres sin billete. Ja, ja, ja. (Esto es un chiste, pues ya estoy como nuestro humorista colombiano José Ordóñez).

Hoy en día, cambiarse la figura y operarse parece más bien como parte del diario vivir. Por querer estar a la moda, los hombres y las mujeres luchan por tener cuerpos perfectos a costa de lo que sea y se desenfocan. Se vuelven vanidosos. Entonces se concentran en la belleza como su prioridad y olvidan por completo quién les dio la vida. Pueden más la vanidad y el orgullo al creerse que vivirán así eternamente.

Sin duda, admiro la belleza humana. Admiro cómo cambia y avanza la ciencia, de modo que hacerse una operación no es el problema. Siento decirles que el problema está en volverse un idólatra de uno mismo o está en el momento que esto se convierte en una adicción.

El asunto es que los expertos dicen que hay personas adictas a estas operaciones y pierden la belleza original. A menudo, se ven hasta deformes y sabemos que muchos han perdido la vida en un quirófano.

Recuerda que todo llevado a los extremos es malo. Y Dios es el dueño de nuestros cuerpos.

Esto se ajusta también para los hombres que se hacen tantas cosas por lucir mejor que pierden la masculinidad.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - TAKE THIS CUP

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Luke 22:42, NIV

On hearing the news of the violent assassination of Christian government minister, Shahbaz Bhatti, Maaria from Pakistan wrote these words in her “Secret Believers” blog:

Another man laid to rest, not like men who die for a better tomorrow or men who die for the restoration of a nation, or men who die for a noble cause. I am writing of a line of men and women who have entered Christ’s rest because they chose to believe in Him above the laws of the land and the laws of Islam. They chose to stand up for Christ…

Mr. Bhatti’s name has been added to that list. Every time I try to sleep, images of his car, the blood, the bullet holes, the sound of what it must have been like, the stench of what must have filled the air come to me along with the voice of a woman hidden away in a prison. A woman whose persecution started this spate of hatred and anger—Aasia Bibi, my sister—in solitary confinement, afraid, alone and waiting for the day she is hung for a crime she did not commit.

For every bullet that was sprayed, whether it hit him and spilt his blood or not, I offer the Al Quaida, forgiveness. I cannot speak yet for my aching people. I will give them time to get there. But I know there are Maarias who forgive the Al Quaida for taking away a man who loved Jesus and loved the Church and loved Pakistan. For every bullet, I remember the nails on the cross and ask the Lord to “Forgive them for they know not what they do.” They have been brain washed. They are not born for this. God allows them into the world for great things. I ask that you forgive them too.

For every drop of blood spilt, forgive them. Jesus hung on the cross and his blood was spilt for us. For every drop of blood, I urge you my Christian family around the world, to remember the sips of wine from the cup that Jesus passed among his disciples in the upper room…Then remember those of us for whom the words of Christ are so real today, “Lord...take this cup from me.” I am sure there were nights when Mr. Bhatti spoke into the darkness to God and asked Him to deliver him from this. But God gave him the courage to carry on. He did not bend to the demand to give up and walk away.

RESPONSE: Today I will pray for courage to honor Jesus and forgive those who snuff out His light.

PRAYER: Lord, grant Your courage, peace and forgiving spirit to all who grieve injustices today.

NIV Devotions for Men - Scared to Death

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

Recommended Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1–58; Philippians 1:21–23

Despite all the personal fitness trainers, gastrointestinal bypass surgeries, expensive wrinkle creams and everything else people use to look young and keep fit, the mortality rate still stands at 100 percent! Someone once remarked that our generation will produce the best-looking corpses in history. Of course, Christians aren’t immune from the desire to live longer and look better in the process. And while there’s nothing wrong with caring for our bodies, Paul reminds us that death is nothing to fear.

Paul wants to address the concern of the Thessalonian Christians about loved ones who have died before Christ’s return. Of course, behind this worry for others likely stands a more personal concern: “What will happen to me when I die?”

Paul gets straight to the point with his encouraging answer. Those who die before Jesus returns will on that final day rise from the grave and accompany Christ to meet those still alive. Death doesn’t dash our hope in Christ; indeed, death for Christians marks a transition to an infinitely better life.

While Paul seeks to calm the fears of his readers, he also expresses his concern about the effect these anxieties will have on the other people around them—especially non-Christians. Paul reminds us that we don’t need to grieve the deaths of our loved ones or worry about our own deaths like “the rest of mankind” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Notice that Paul doesn’t say that Christians won’t grieve. Death is horrible, and it separates us from our loved ones. If we tried to pretend that this loss didn’t matter, we wouldn’t be authentic.

Paul, instead, wants us to know that we don’t need to grieve like those without hope. Yes, we mourn our loss, but we also rejoice, knowing that one day we’ll be reunited with loved ones who also knew Christ. More importantly, Christ will unite us with himself for all eternity. This truth allows us to, as Paul invites, “encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

To Take Away

• What is your attitude toward death?
• How do you grieve? How does your response to death affect other people around you, especially non-Christians?
• How can you find encouragement and even cause for rejoicing in the midst of your grief?

Girlfriends in God - Let Go of The Old You, Take Hold of the New

by Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV)

Friend to Friend

Do you remember the day you came to saving faith? Perhaps you’re still considering a relationship with Jesus. Perhaps you can’t even remember a time when you didn’t know Him. For me, it was on a summer night when I was fourteen years old.

When I think about how God brought me out of a home filled with alcohol, rage, and hostility into this wonderful relationship with Jesus, I’m amazed. The sheer wonder of it stokes my passion for Jesus and gratitude to God every time I tell it.

But here’s what you need to know. Just because I became a Christian when I was fourteen, does not mean that my feelings of inferiority, insecurity, and inadequacy went away—the girl who had a filter of worthlessness over her mind and heart. When I made the decision to believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, those feelings did not dissolve like springtime snow. As a matter of fact I didn’t even know those chains were there. I simply knew that something wasn’t quite right. I was held hostage by my self-perceived deficiencies and didn’t even know it.

After the initial excitement of making a commitment to Christ settled down a bit, I actually felt a little worse about myself. (I’m being honest. I always will.) Now I added a new “I’m not good enough” to the list of my inadequacies. I’m not a good enough Christian, I decided. I can’t memorize Scripture like other people or pray like other Christians. I keep struggling with the same old insecurities. I know God loves me, but I don’t think He likes me very much. Why should He? I don’t like me much either. The problem was, as the song says, I was stuck on a feelin’. I walked through life prodded by my emotions rather than led by the Truth.

Through the years, I learned to compensate for my insecurities and self-perceived inadequacies. However, if you had seen me as a teenager—my achievements and accomplishments—you would have never known that I felt that way about myself. Even though I had the borders of the puzzle in place with the promise of heaven, I felt like I was missing key pieces to complete the picture.

From the time I was fourteen until I was in my early thirties, I always felt like there was something wrong with me spiritually. I had an uneasiness—like I had walked into a movie twenty minutes late, trying to figure out what was going on. I wondered why I struggled to live the victorious Christian life. By my mid-thirties, I had a wonderful husband, an amazing son, and a happy home life. I attended Bible studies and even taught a few. But in my heart, I knew something wasn’t quite right. I wonder if you’ve ever felt that way.

Simply put, I was stuck. I was stuck in my spiritual growth and the harder I spun my wheels, the deeper they sank in the muck and mire of the land of in-between—saved from slavery of Egypt but never quite making it to the Promised Land. And then God brought another woman into my life to shimmy the plank of truth under my tires and help me get on my way.

God wants to show you truths about your true identity, His timeless sufficiency, and your pre-ordained destiny that flesh and blood cannot reveal. He sits by the well waiting for you to show up—to dip down deep and pour out the affirmation you’re thirsting for—affirmations that call you to let go of the hindrances that hold you hostage, take hold of the promises that set you free, and live bold with that faith you’ve always longed for.

He’s looking for men and women who are not only willing but hungrily yearning to step outside of the quiet, settled, predictable faith and into the boldly believing, courageously confident, and miraculously powerful adventurous faith. Those who will take hold of what they’ve already got—of what Jesus has already taken hold of for them.

One thing that you have is a new identity in Christ.

You are a saint.
You are chosen.
You are dearly loved.
You are holy.
You are reconciled through Christ’s life.
You are justified by Christ’s blood.
You are free from condemnation through Christ’s death.
You have the mind of Christ.
You can do all things through Christ.

Today, take hold of these truths and allow God to transform your mind. You are not meant to simply hang on by the skin of your teeth until Jesus comes or calls you home. You are meant to let go of the past, move forward in the present, and live bold!

Let’s Pray

God, thank You for saving me! Not a day goes by that I am not grateful for the way You rescued me from the domain of darkness and transferred me to the kingdom of Your Son. But sometimes I get stuck on a feeling. I get stuck feeling more like the old me than the new me. Help me to let go of my feelings of insecurity, inferiority, and inadequacy and take hold of the truth of who I am as a child of God.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Did you notice that today’s truth has an exclamation mark after it? I didn’t put it there, Paul did! Why do you think he did that?

Look back at the list of who God says you are in Christ. Which one is the most difficult to believe about you?

Who is right? God or you? (Trick question…just saying.)

Click here for a free download of Power Verses to help you take hold of the faith you long for! Pick one verse to memorize this week.

More from the Girlfriends

A mediocre, mundane faith is not your destiny! In Take Hold of the Faith You Long For: Let Go, Move Forward, Live Bold, I reveal the most common reasons we get stuck in our Christian faith. I show you how to break free of all that holds you back, move forward with all that God promises, and live the adventurous faith of bold believing. Leave behind feelings of inferiority, insecurity, and inadequacy that hold you hostage and take hold of the mountain-moving faith God intends. You were meant for more…take hold of God’s truth and thrive.

Also see the laminated True Identity in Christ card filled with verses that fits snuggly in your Bible as a daily reminder of who God says you are!

Seeking God?

Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God P.O. Box 725 Matthews, NC 28106

info@girlfriendsingod.com

www.girlfriendsingod.com